Queens’ Leading Man Starring............Charles Hadley


CHARLES HADLEY’S LEGACY OF CONNECTION LIVES ON


By Lori K. Tate


“To be interesting, you have to be interested.” Tat’s the philosophy Jane Hadley, Ph.D., instilled in her theatre students at Queens. While the statement is a tenet of acting, it also encapsulates what made her late husband, Professor Emeritus Charles Hadley, so magical to so many. Tough his quick wit, lilting voice, penchant for storytelling and love of knowledge were contagious, it was the genuine interest he took in his students that created connections for a lifetime. When the beloved professor deemed “A National Treasure


at Queens” passed away at the age of 92 on January 7 this year, the Queens community was left heartbroken. “I’ve been so touched, amazed, gratified by the wide range of beautiful letters and messages I’ve received,” said Jane, who married Charles in 1972. “Wide in geography; wide over the years.” Born in Elkin, North Carolina, and raised in nearby


Statesville, Charles graduated from Davidson College in 1949. Six years later he began teaching at Queens and was later named Te Dana Professor of English Literature and Language. His impact took root from his earliest days on campus, as students sat in a circle in his classroom pondering Emily Dickinson poems and relishing how he personalized playwrights and scandalized ancient Greek plays. Before retiring in 2006, Charles won numerous accolades


at Queens, including the 1999 Hunter Hamilton Love of Teaching Award, in addition to the North Carolina Professor of the Year award, sponsored by CASE and Te Carnegie


17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52